From Canton to Parramatta

Early Chinese contact with Australia is thought to have occurred through merchants scouring the Australian coastline for sandalwood and sea cucumbers. Records show that 18 Chinese settlers had immigrated to Australia by 1848, with Mak Sai Ying as the earliest known Chinese immigrant to arrive in Sydney. In recent times, according to the 2016 Census, 16.3% of the population in the suburbs of Parramatta is made up of individuals with Chinese ancestry.

Chinese labourers 1850, Image from National Museum of Australia

Chinese Labour

Before the 1850s, Chinese labourers faced physical hardship in Australia. This image depicts Chinese labourers walking along a winding country road in search of work and helping to clear bushland for farming.

China Rose

China Rose

Roses were introduced to Australia from China and were grown profusely in the beautiful and exotic gardens situated around the Red Cow Inn in Parramatta.

John Shying (1798 – 1880)

Mak Sai Ying (1798 -1880) was born in Guangzhou (Canton) and is one of the first recorded Chinese-born to settle in Australia. He arrived as a free settler in 1818. He purchased land in Parramatta and was granted the licence for The Lion, a public house in Parramatta. He was known by many names, including John Pong Shying, Mak Sai Pang, Mai Shi Ying, Mark Opong, and (possibly) John Sheen. Mak Sai Ying married Sarah Jane Thompson (1802 – 1836) on 3 February 1823 in St John’s Church, Parramatta.

Mei Quong Tart (1850 – 1903)

Mei Quong Tart was a complex individual. Chinese born, he was arguably one of the most westernised of Australia’s Chinese. A successful businessman, particularly as a tea importer and restauranteur, he also worked for social causes both within and outside the Chinese community. Mei received some education in China before arriving in Sydney in 1859 at the age of nine. In 1886 he married an English women, Margaret Scarlett and had six kids – 4 daughters and 2 sons.

Research posts: From Canton to Parramatta

In 1868, Reverend J. K. Tucker wrote in his observations of the Chinese attitude to religion:"With them all religions are equal, as they are in Australia and this favourite colonial opinion, they will tell you, has been cherished by them for more than two thousand...

Recent years of the rat are: 2020, 2008, 1996, 1984, 1972, 1960, 1948, 1936, 1924, 1912, 1900. 2020 is the Year of the Rat according to the Chinese zodiac and this year will be the Year of Metal Rat, starting from the 2020 Chinese New Year on 25 January 2020 until the...

SIGNAGE - Year of the pig (Source: Anne Tsang) City of Parramatta is home to a diverse multicultural community with 20 percent of the population with Chinese ancestry. Many people with Asian heritage will be celebrating Lunar New Year.[1] Lunar New Year starts on the...

Lunar New Year - Year of the Dog (Source: City of Parramatta) The celebration of the Lunar New Year has long been part of the Parramatta region and community. Lunar New Year is one of Parramatta’s most popular annual events. On 16 February, Parramatta will welcome...

There was never an actual policy or law that was referred to as the ‘White Australia’ policy. Rather, the ‘White Australia’ policy refers to a range of policies which determined Australia’s approach to immigration from the 1850s, until its official abolition in 1973....

George Tin Sing, who was also known as George Sing, arrived in Australia from China in 1893. He was eighteen years of age. George worked throughout Australia as a storekeeper and greengrocer. In 1905 he received his naturalisation papers in Perth. George remained in...

Life for Chinese labourers in Australia before the 1850s. Image from National Museum of Australia The history of Chinese Australians provides a unique chapter in the history of Australia. The earliest contact with Australia appears of searching the Australian...

Private John Joseph Shying, Grandson of John Shying, Source: Sydney Living Museum Photo - Charles Picking Courtesy Winsome Doyle Chinese migration and settlement in New South Wales has a long history. Records show that about 18 Chinese settlers had immigrated to...

Henry Fine (Ah Hing) and Lily Ah Poo Wedding June 1896. Brad Powe family photographs and documents, 1862-1931, relating to Chinese ancestry. State Library of NSW. Henry Ah Hing Fine Chong was a successful merchant and portraitist who lived and worked in Parramatta...

Lee Gumbuk Sing (Ah Sing- Ah Lee) Lee Ah Sing was a prosperous grocer whose business was at one time the largest of its kind in Parramatta. His store was at 336 Church St and he and his family lived above the shop. He was also charitable and caring for Parramatta’s...

Images From Our Collection

China Rose

China Rose

Lee Sing

Lee Sing

Wedding photo

Wedding photo

Chinese Dragon

Chinese Dragon

Life for Chinese labourers in Australia before the 1850s was often one of physical hardship in harsh conditions. On the right, Chinese labourers in search of work walk along a winding country road past bullock teams. On the left, Chinese workers are clearing bushland

Life for Chinese labourers in Australia before the 1850s was often one of physical hardship in harsh conditions. On the right, Chinese labourers in search of work walk along a winding country road past bullock teams. On the left, Chinese workers are clearing bushland

George and Emma Ah Poo in Parramatta, June 1896 (from the collection of Brad Powe)

George and Emma Ah Poo in Parramatta, June 1896 (from the collection of Brad Powe)